My Mum's Irish Apple Cake Recipe

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It doesn't get much better than my mum's Irish Apple Cake recipe — authentically Irish with tart Granny Smith apples and a streusel topping.

By Gemma Stafford | March 25, 2022 | 242

Last updated on February 11, 2024

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WHAT YOU GET:An Irish Apple Cake recipe that’s simple, delicious, and straight from my Irish mum — so it’s as authentic as it gets.

This classic Irish Apple Cake may seem humble but it is a diamond in the rough. Somewhere a cross between an American coffee cake and an apple pie, this cake is one of my mum’s best Irish recipes. I am so happy to share this with you as I know it will be an instant family favorite.

If you love this recipe, you’ll also love my Best-Ever Irish Scones, Irish Potato Farls, Irish Soda Bread, and more.

The Best Kind Of Apples For Apple Cake

The cake part of this apple cake is light and moist then topped off with thinly sliced granny smith apples. I use granny smith apples when baking this cake because their slightly tart flavor really balances out the sweetness of whatever they are added to. Also, they hold their shape and stay in slices for a nice presentation.

What You’ll Need

Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Whisk
9-Inch Cake Pan
Parchment paper
Measuring cupsandspoons

How To Make Streusel

To top off the layer of sliced apples is my favorite part of any coffee cake: a streusel! A streusel is made by rubbing together cold butter, flour, and sugar. In this streusel, the oats are a special addition that adds a toasty flavor and crunch. This layer on top of the cake forms a golden-brown crust and also makes the sliced apples beneath them cook into the cake, making it super moist and fruity!

If you love coffee cake, you’re going to love this — especially if you love it for the topping. Because honestly, who doesn’t?

The Cake Pan To Use for Irish Apple Cake

I think the best option for this apple cake is a 9-inch cake pan.

The reason being is that this cake isn’t incredibly deep so it’s nice to bake it in a 9 or even 8-inch pan so it appears deeper. Also, once you line the cake pan with parchment, the cake will remove easily.

NOTE:No need for a springform cheesecake pan as sometimes they can be 10 to 12 inches which isn’t needed.

How To Store Apple Cake

This traditional Irish Apple Cake can be covered and stored in an airtight container at cool room temperature.

Coffee cakes and Teacakes like this are always best when kept at room temperature. There is no fresh cream or anything that requires it to be refrigerated and the texture and flavor are so much better at room temperature rather than cold from the fridge. If you live in a hot country, refrigerate, then remove to room temperature one hour before serving.

How Long Does It Last?

This cake will last up to 4 days at room temperature. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month. Just allow defrosting fully before serving. You can also refresh it a little in the microwave or cover it in foil in a 350°F (180°c) oven for 15 minutes. This just softens the cake again.

Get more Irish Recipes:

Simple White Irish Soda Bread
Traditional Irish Bread and Butter Pudding
Traditional Irish Soda Bread (Brown Bread)
Classic Irish Apple Tart
5-Minute Authentic Irish Brown Bread
Authentic Irish Apple Amber Pie
Authentic Irish Potato Farls
My Mum’s Authentic Irish Apple Crumble

Try More Irish Recipes

Gemma's Best-Ever Irish Scones

5-Minute Authentic Irish Brown Bread

How to Make Waterford Blaas (Authentic Irish Rolls Recipe)

Traditional Irish Bread and Butter Pudding

Mum's Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe (Brown Bread)

4.63 from 383 votes

Print Recipe

It doesn't get much better than my mum's Irish Apple Cake recipe — authentically Irish with tart Granny Smith apples and a streusel topping.

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 8 people

Dessert
Fruit
Baking Pans
Oven
Electric Mixer

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

It doesn't get much better than my mum's Irish Apple Cake recipe — authentically Irish with tart Granny Smith apples and a streusel topping.

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

Streusel topping

¾ cup (3 ¾ oz/105 g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (¾ oz/21 g) rolled oats
⅛ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3 oz/85 g) cold butter, cubed

Irish Apple Cake

½ cup (4 oz/115 g) butter (at room temperature)
½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups (6 ¼ oz/177 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
⅙ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons whole milk
3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) then butter and line a 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside.
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For the Streusel Topping

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, oats and salt.
Using your finger tips or a fork, rub in the cold butter until you've reached the texture of coarse breadcrumbs. Set aside in the fridge while you make the cake.

For the Irish Apple Cake

Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time until combined. Lastly stir in the vanilla.
In a separate medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder cinnamon, and salt.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet along with the milk.
Once the batter has formed, transfer it to the prepared cake pan and lay on the sliced apples, making sure they are arranged in one even layer.
Cover the apples with all the streusel topping. Press down gently with your hand.
Bake for roughly 65-75 minutes, or until the top is golden brown all over and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow cooling slightly before turning out of the tin.
When ready to serve, dust the cake with powdered sugar, slice and enjoy. Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

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Charu

4 years ago

Hi Gemma
Please post the video of this recipe.

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Mary Jo B Bishari

2 years ago

Hi Gemma,

This turned out so well! I used almond flour, like your Mum did often, and added 1/4 ap flour as you suggested. The nutty flavor of the almond flour was a nice compliment to the apples. It’s not a real sweet dessert which was grand. Thank you!

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Kathy

1 year ago

I am making this for a crowd. Can I double or triple the recipe if using large sheet pans.?

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.